Taliercio's Sandwich Challenge-Cannonball

This weekend, Red Bank will not only be hosting their annual Oyster Fest but also a Pirate Day.  I'm not entirely sure I know what that means but if you're planning on going out in Red Bank get ready to see some Jack Sparrow inspired get-ups.  Will they shoot a cannonball (or several) into the Navesink?  Will the river be lined with old pirate ships? As I look out onto the river, I honestly hope so.  To my knowledge, there have never been any pirate raids on this river (unless you count the Dutch purchasing the land from the Lenape Tribe or the thousands of illegally shipped crates of alcohol during prohibition as piracy. ) as the area has historically been secure in its population.  But why name the sandwich cannonball?  Did the creator have a proclivity (word of the day!) towards jumping into pools in a cannonball position? Maybe they found a cannonball in their backyard, abandoned by retreating British forces during the Revolutionary War.  Or they might really enjoy the 1976 film Cannonball! starring David Carradine(RIP).   Any of those are possible, we may never know. I guess I could just ask next time I'm there, but that will take away all of the fun we just had guessing.  Alright, this is getting weird, let's get to the sandwich. 

Cannonball: Roasted Turkey, Melted Cheddar, Bacon, BBQ Sauce

The Cannonball has striking similarities to crowd-favorite Cheech and Chong, but I think this might just work better as a sandwich rather than a panini.  I got this sandwich "heated up" so you can imagine how delightful the freshly melted cheddar must have been with the bacon and BBQ sauce.  Another advantage of these four ingredients in the sandwich? There's about a pound and a half more turkey on the sandwich than on the panini.  That's just science.  And if you're a carnivore like me that should put a smile on your face.  

Overall: 7.4/10

The movie Cannonball! had such a cool concept.  Basically, it's an illegal race from LA to NY which I've always said would be the coolest thing NASCAR could ever produce.  I would watch the shit out of that during a weekend.  So if anyone working for NASCAR is reading and wants to get (1) new fan, you know what to do.  

Soul Sandwich of the Week-Carolina Pork Loin

Well, it's the last week of the baseball season and somehow the Mets still have an outside shot of making the playoffs.  Should be pretty straight forward, keep winning.  Enter one of the most pitiful franchises in recent memory (that still has two more recent World Series titles than the Mets), the fucking Miami Marlins.  For some reason, the Marlins seem to transform into the most unbeatable 100 loss team of all time each and every September, especially while playing the Mets.  I'm so fucking sick of it.  Sick! 

Anyway, as promised, here's this week's special from Soul Sandwich.  I opted for the whole wheat bread this time (I think it's healthier?) since the last four meals I had over the weekend were a Sicilian Pizza (yes, I got three meals out of this) and all you can eat wings while watching football on Sunday. (By the way great time at The Downtown for some very good all you can eat wings and a legitimately fun Giants game.) I know, I said these would be on Monday (I got this sandwich on Monday around 2pm), but you're getting this blog on Tuesday morning.  A lesser human wouldn't have made it to Monday after this weekend but here I am.  

Roasted Pork Loin w homemade BBQ rub, NC slaw, BBQ mayo

No, we are not in North Carolina but that shouldn't stop you from emulating some seriously good BBQ.  It's the first week of fall and the temps are that of the Carolinas so please enjoy it while you can, this might be your last shot at summer.  This is a very solid sandwich with all homemade ingredients.  The pork loin was juicy and not overly seasoned.  The slaw is what really brings it all together.  A simple sandwich with a ton of care taken in the ingredients.  Another solid weekly special that you have until Friday to get.     

EMERGENCY BLOG UPDATE

Sorry to cause any alarm here, this isn't an actual emergency.  For the first time ever, I could not eat the 2nd half of my sandwich from yesterday, like I said the ranch was just too much.  I found myself this in a bit of a pickle this afternoon.  What do I want for lunch? It's beautiful out so I figured I'd take a stroll and remembered that there is a new lunch spot in town. After 25 years, long time soup slinger, Gary Sable, retired as That Hot Dog Guy served countless Red Bank residents soups and hot dogs in a tiny shop next to The Dublin House.  A couple of weeks ago, the location reopened as Soul Sandwich with new owner Steve DeAngelo keeping Sable's soup recipes while introducing some of his own.  And while this isn't a blog about soups, what I'm here for are the sandwiches.  Every week, Steve will introduce new specials and based on what he told me today, I'm expecting some really awesome things in the future.  That's why I'm declaring that each Monday I will take the short walk over to Soul Sandwich and chronicle their weekly specials.  I love local businesses and from what I saw today I think Steve will be a more than welcome addition to the many local businesses Red Bank already boasts.  So for those of you following at home here's the deal.  Monday's will be Soul Sandwich.  Thursday's Taliercio's.  Fill in the blanks on pork roll, egg, and cheeses, (one per week, maybe more depending on where life takes me.) as well as some additional videos of PEC's, likely for special occasions and reviews.  Now let's break this sandwich down.

The Heater: Cracked Pepper Turkey, Pepper Jack Cheese, Hot Relish, Mayo, Lettuce, Tomato

Fresh is the first thing that came to mind when I bit into this sandwich.  The ingredients in this sandwich were probably some of my favorites which explains why I loved it so much.  Not trying to be dramatic but the hot relish was incredible, maybe the best I've ever had.  It's a shame I canceled #daygamedogs (due to the Mets sucking) or else I would be there every single day game for some of that hot relish on a hot dog.  The sandwiches here come with your choice of bread: hard roll, and I think he said whole wheat and rye were the other options, obviously, I went with the hard roll.   It was just the right amount for lunch where you feel completely satisfied without having to walk it off later that afternoon.  I know I'm writing all of this on a Friday so you'll have to, unfortunately, wait until Monday to try it yourself (and a whole new weekly special) since Soul Sandwich is only open Monday-Friday from 10-4 so you really have to be local to enjoy this spot but if you're in the Red Bank area and looking for lunch, you should check out Soul Sandwich. 

Soul Sandwich is located at 30 Monmouth St, Red Bank NJ 07701 (Right in the Irish walk next to The Dublin House.)

PEC Challenge: The Bagel Store

I just came off two rounds of golf at two different courses this past weekend.  Before you say "must be nice" let me just say that these two rounds doubled my golf playing for the year.  Golf's one of those things that I enjoy (until I inevitably fall apart around Hole 13) but don't play enough.  It's also a game that you have to play more of in order to get good but I think I've logged enough hours to upgrade myself from a "smiley face" golfer (taking about a million strokes inevitably resorting to throwing the ball to the green) to a consistent "getting to the green at a reasonable pace using only clubs" golfer.  (Please note this only applies to easy public courses.) I still have a lot of work to do on my golf game but the good news is it can only go up from here.  Before playing Saturday's round of the 2nd Annual Wolfpack Open (a round of golf my friends and I play each year) at Pebble Creek in Colts Neck, I just had to stop into the local bagel shop down the street to see what was up.  Previously, I had covered the Colts Neck General Store right down the road from Pebble Creek so for this trip I went to The Bagel Store, right on the corner of 537 and NJ-34.  

Bread Rating: 8.2/10 (Crazy idea that the bagels at a place called The Bagel Store are actually good!) 

Pork Roll Rating: 7.8/10 (Three thin cut slices of pork roll goodness. Griddled right in front of you.)

Egg Rating: 7.7/10 (A fresh fried egg made with your pork roll.)

Cheese Rating: 6.8/10 (Nothing special about the cheese, typical sliced variety of American yellow.)

Sandwich Composition: 6.9/10 (A little heavy-handed with the ketchup here plus the difficultness of eating a breakfast sandwich on a bagel.  It kept together for the most part though and I didn't get any ketchup on my brand new golf shirt, that would have been more embarrassing than my round.)

Overall: 7.4/10 (This is the best option for you before playing a round at Pebble Creek in my opinion. The bagels are very good and they put together a nice sandwich.)

Price: $5.50

The Bagel Store is located at 340 NJ-34, Colts Neck, NJ 07722

Sandwich Challenge: Henry Hill

On this date, 29 years ago, one of the greatest films in the gangster genre was released in theaters.  That's right, I'm talking about the highly praised Scorsese film, Goodfellas.  It was nominated for six Academy Awards with one win (Joe Pesci, the GOAT) for Best Supporting Actor and was preserved by the National Film Registry as culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.  Without Goodfellas, there is no Sopranos, with four actors appearing in both.  (Lorraine Bracco, Frank Vincent, Michael Imperioli, and Tony Sirico).  The film stars Ray Liotta as Henry Hill, an associate with the Lucchese crime family from 1955 to 1980 before getting flipped as an FBI informant.  His testimony helped secure 50 convictions including Paul Vario and Jimmy "The Gent" (played by Robert DiNiro).  Hill's crime life began at 11 years old in Brownsville (a neighborhood in Brooklyn where 40 years later my AAU team would get run out of the gym), when Henry began looking for part-time work after school.  He began running errands and serving drinks at the neighborhood card games.  At 14 he was given a union card with the bricklayers' local where he would "no show" to collect a legitimate paycheck while he facilitated the pickup of daily loan payments to Paul Vario, the local Lucchese made man.  At 17, he enlisted in the Army for three years in order to avoid an FBI investigation.  In 1963, he returned to New York to begin his most notorious criminal acts including arson, intimidation, running an organized stolen car ring, and fixing Boston College basketball games. In 1967, Hill and Tommy DeSimone (Joe Pesci) robbed Air France of $420,000 (the modern equivalent of $3.1 MILLION) cash from their strong-room at JFK Airport.  Hill was arrested in 1972 for extortion and sentenced to 10 years of which he served 4 before being released on parole.  This was the basis of the famous Goodfellas "Prison Scene" and was also where Hill began trafficking drugs which ultimately led to his downfall.   He was arrested again in 1980, this time on narcotics-trafficking, which would give a longer sentence and potentially get Hill "whacked." Following his testimony, Hill entered the Witness Protection Program living under various aliases in Omaha and Seattle.  I'm not entirely sure how making a feature film about your life keeps you in the Witness Protection Program but oh well.  Hill passed away in 2012 from heart disease.  (Might have had to do with all the ranch dressing on his sandwiches but I digress, RIP.) 

Henry Hill: Chipotle Chicken, Swiss, Tomato, Banana Peppers, Ranch Dressing

I'm ranch over blue cheese any day of the week...when it comes to a buffalo wing dipping sauce.  But I have a startling confession to make: ranch dressing on its own is not great.  I don't love it.  It needs some other sauce mixed in the balance it.  That's why this sandwich didn't blow me away.  I was too distracted by the ranch.  Chipotle chicken, fantastic.  Banana Peppers, give them to me all day.  But I just couldn't shake off the ranch.  Mix in some Frank's Red Hot and this sandwich shoots up the power rankings but as is I have no choice but to give it a 5.1.  If you love ranch you'll LOVE this sandwich, I mean this should probably be your go-to.  Sorry ranch lovers, let me make it up to you with this hilarious video of Joe Pesci earning every bit of the Best Supporting Actor win and maybe the greatest movie improv scene in history (also basis of all-time "rich people laughing gif".)  

 

PEC Challenge: Gambler Ridge Golf Course

Monday was a fantastic day out on the links (shoutout Donna, Ted, and Chris for putting on another great outing).  If you have no idea what I'm talking about check out last week's post about the New Yorker.  Everyone knows in order to have a good round of golf you need to start your day off with a balanced breakfast.  At this point, you should all know what I consider a balanced breakfast. (ketchup counts as a vegetable!) I heard rumors of a pork roll, egg, and cheese available at the bar at the course.  Naturally, I recruited two of my most loyal readers, Dr. Johnny Mac and Jorge, to do a live review with me before we began our round of best ball golf and White Claw shotgunning.  Speaking of shotgunning, I'd say that's been my biggest alcohol-related skill that's declined (drastically) since turning 30, so for all of you frat-bros out there, enjoy your 2-second shotguns while you can.  What I did gain from eating a PEC before golf is the ability to drive the ball further than my warning track power, Rey Ordonez-Esque swing has ever been able to drive it (humble brag). You win some, you lose some.  Let's dive into this pork roll.

Bread Rating: 6.2/10 (The bread was simply too big for this sandwich.  It can really take away from the sandwich when you take a bite of just bread, and this is coming from someone who used to exclusively eat dinner rolls at family parties when I was seven years old.) 

Pork Roll Rating: 8.7/10 (I know it's hard to tell because there's so much bread but the pork roll was plentiful on this sandwich.  It was also cut and fried up near perfectly.  Compliments to the griddle handler at Gambler Ridge.) 

A complete aside here but I just have to give it up to the kitchen or whoever handles the griddle/fryer at Gambler Ridge.  I think I might have had the greatest chicken fingers I've ever had as my post-round meal.  

Egg Rating: 7.6/10 (Really liked how this egg was seasoned and fried but I think you've heard enough compliments towards that.)

Cheese Rating: 6.6/10 (Just a regular-ass Kraft single that was kind of melted.  I get it, you can only use what you have.)

Sandwich Composition: 6.8/10 (The bread was big and the contents moved around as a consequence.  Tighten up the bread situation and this could be higher.)

Overall: 7.2/10 (It was a solid PEC, you could really get yourself in a regrettable microwave situation at some golf courses that would make you weep.  This place has a legit kitchen so you won't be disappointed.  Also, if you watch the video below, you'll notice I called it a 7.2 on the spot before I crunched all the numbers.  Not sure what that says about my very scientific method of rating, but what I'm saying is it's legit.  

Gambler Ridge Golf Course is located at 121 Burlington Path Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514

Sandwich Challenge: New Yorker

Honestly, I wasn't sure when to make this post, if at all. September 11th is such an emotional day for so many and writing about sandwiches this week seemed kind of silly to me. Growing up in New Jersey, it was impossible to not know someone affected.  In 2001, I had just entered 7th grade at Bayshore Middle School.  The only worry I had going to school that morning was how I (a tiny kid with braces) was going to say hi to a girl I liked.  Around first-period, rumors began to swirl as classmates were slowly being called down to the office to go home.  Almost everyone in school had a family member who worked in the city and now the teachers had the unenviable job of keeping the few students remaining in school calm as the terrifying events of the day occurred 26 miles across the bay.  It's tough to comprehend something like this happening as a 12-year-old,  but as of this year, there are now adults who weren't even born when it happened and it's important that they never forget.  Never forget the victims, the heroes, and the thousands of families who are still affected to this day.  

On Monday, my friends and I are participating in a golf outing put together by our friend, Donna Spera.  Donna was on the 78th floor of the South Tower when the building was attacked.  Though badly burned, she made it to the stairwell with the help of Welles Crowther and was able to escape.  Her story is incredibly inspiring and it's been an honor to get to know her in the last few years.  The proceeds of this outing will be going to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.  Stephen Siller is a hero you should all know about.  On September 11th, Stephen had just finished his shift with Brooklyn's Squad 1 and was on his way to play golf with his brothers when the attack occurred.  Upon hearing the news, he returned to the firehouse to get his gear and drive into Manhattan.  The Brooklyn Battery Tunnel was closed when he arrived but that wasn't going to stop him from carrying out his duty.  He took his gear and ran on foot through the tunnel where he gave his life saving others.  

These are stories that can never be forgotten.  Stories of survival and sacrifice.  Ones that inspire all of us to be better than we were yesterday and to continue to spread these values to others. If you'd like to donate or participate in one of the many events put on by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation you can click here. 


Feels pretty dumb to write about a sandwich right now so I'll leave you with this picture of the New Yorker. 

New Yorker: Prosciutto, Salami, Mortadella, Provolone, Roasted Peppers

PEC Challenge: Frank's Deli

So the NFL season began last night. Man, was that underwhelming. Is it just me or has the quality of the NFL diminished in the last few years? My guess is that Red Zone has ruined the viewing experience.  Sunday's are way more exciting with that channel on instead of watching a full game.  Who has time to watch penalties every five seconds?  Not me.  Anyway following the unbridled excitement of a 10-3 football game, I woke up earlier than usual, in search of an iconic PEC to bring us into the weekend.  I'd say if you're featured on Anthony Bourdain's (RIP) Parts Unknown, you must have built a pretty good reputation.  Frank's Deli is the closest location to me on the newly anointed "Bourdain Trail" in New Jersey, just a quick 10-mile ride from Red Bank to Asbury Park.  Frank's doubles up as both diner and deli in such a way you're left wondering why there aren't more places like it.  Along with the classic pork roll, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich, there are also several overstuffed subs available for lunch (I think Bourdain had an Italian sub on the New Jersey episode of Parts Unknown).  I loved this place and can see why it was chosen as a worthy representative of our great state.  

Bread Rating: 9.2/10 (Very fresh roll, elegant and light, slightly toasted.  Some real deli/diner shit.) 

Pork Roll Rating: 8.6/10 (Three thick slices of pork roll.  I've honestly gone back and forth on whether or not I like thin or thick slices better.  You can really screw up thick slices.  This place did not do that.)

Egg Rating: 8.4/10 (Freshly fried egg right on top of the mountain of pork roll.)

Cheese Rating: 7.7/10 (Yellow American, fresh, didn't interfere with the main event, exactly what you're looking for with cheese.)

Sandwich Composition: 7.6/10 (The sandwich was put together really well, I did cut it in half myself for the picture and nearly destroyed the other unphotographed half.  The thing that really stuck out to me on this PEC was they may have been a little heavy-handed with the salt. Other than that, very solid, nostalgic, pork roll, egg, and cheese.) 

Overall: 8.3/10 (A classic spot, Bourdain approved, and I'm very down with that.)

Price: $7, cash only.

Speaking of locals, here's a song that's been really stuck with me the past few weeks by local band, Deal Casino. This video was shot from House of Independents in AP.  Have a good weekend! 

Fran's Deli is located at 1406 Main St, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Sandwich Challenge: The Dinapoli

Previously, we covered the name Calabrese and it's origins.  Today, we have another beauty created by the good folks of Ellis Island.  DiNapoli means "of Napoli" also known as Naples to the uncultured (looking at you, Florida, just kidding love ya.) You may know Naples, Italy as a place Tony Soprano travels to in season 2 and picks up made man Furio. Naples is one of the most densely populated cities in Europe with 3.1 million residents within its metropolitan area.  That's right 3.1 million people live next to an infamously active volcano (Mount Vesuvius) that already took out another ancient city (Pompeii).  People don't seem to be that worried because it's one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban areas in the world, founded in the 6th century B.C. as a Greek colony, Neapolis.  Yep, you know what happened next, the Romans conquered it! And turned Neapolis into a culturally significant city blending Greek and Roman societies.  Following the fall of Rome, Napoli served as the capital of the Duchy of Naples from 661-1139, then of the Kingdom of Naples from 1282-1816 and finally of Kingdom of the Two Sicilies until the unification of Italy in 1861.  Twelve. Hundred. Years. As a capital city.  Of course, who really cares about all of that when you are the city that brought the world PIZZA.  Neapolitan cuisine is one of the most well-known in the world and Napoli boasts the most stars from the Michelin Guide of any other Italian city.   

The Dinapoli: Fried Veal Cutlet, Mozzarella, Tomato Brushetta, Balsamic Vinegar

With that kind of culinary pedigree, The Dinapoli just has to bring it.  And it did.  A somewhat simple sandwich of bruschetta, veal cutlet, and melted mozzarella, this was an excellent choice for a light, summery sandwich.  I know, "But there's fried VEAL on it." I don't care.  Veal is the perfect light meat and you can't stop me from eating it.  The bruschetta and balsamic vinegar give the summery freshness that I am so desperately clinging to.  Plus it's topped with mozzarella, which you all know is might be my favorite cheese.  My only gripe with this sandwich is that it gets a little messy with the veal and bruschetta sliding all over the place.      

Overall: 8.1/10 

PEC Challenge: King of Bagels and Subs

Do you remember Memorial Day? Yeah, you know the weekend I blogged about the "healthy" options of Taliercio's going into another beach season? Well, shit really fell off the wagon since then.  At my now advanced age, Labor Day Weekend is around the time when all of my summer transgressions begin to catch up with me.  Three months straight of winging it (IE eating out for every meal) will do that to your mind, body, and wallet.  Today was the first time I've gone grocery shopping in weeks.  Don't worry, the sandwich and pork roll blogs will continue on a more regular schedule but let's just say I need to get my shit together.  Last week, I went back down to my main office of Alexandria and made a stop in King of Bagels and Subs in Howell, another delightful stop right off I-195 coming across the state on my 6am commute.  I figured with a name like King of Bagels, this place would surely have bagels good enough to win the admiration of my co-workers for at least an hour.  King of Bagels is located in a pretty depressing strip mall off of US-9 that (like most establishments on US-9) looks like it's seen better days.  The guy working there was very nice and assured me that I made the right choice on bagel place, as the "place down the street uses previously frozen bagels and ours are fresh." Perfect, I thought.  Let's see how my new friend did on the PEC.   

Editor's Note: I ate this PEC on 8/29

Bread Rating: 5.8/10 (The bagels here were just OK.  With a name like "King of Bagels" you need to bring it.  I can't imagine how the "other bagel shop's" are.)

Pork Roll Rating: 7.6/10 (Multiple layers of pork roll cut thin, crispy on the outside.  Pretty nice.)

Egg Rating: 7.2/10 (Pretty average fried egg, three layers with pork roll in between.)

Cheese Rating: 6.2/10 (Negligible cheese, couldn't even tell it was there.)

Sandwich Composition: 7.2/10 (Bagel construction is tough but the SPK ratio was pretty decent on this.  Liked the layers of egg and pork roll.)

Overall Rating: 6.8/10 (An average PEC, I was able to eat it while driving without making a complete mess which is a win.)

Price: $5

King of Bagels and Subs is located at 4046 US-9, Howell Township, NJ 07731